As many as 29 per cent caregivers in family, mainly son, daughter-in-law, daughter, son-in-law, felt the burden of caregiving of an elder was moderate to severe, while 15 per cent felt a severe burden of caregiving regarding the elderly.
25.7 per cent caregivers felt fatigue and frustration result in aggressive behaviour towards their older relative while 35 per cent of the caregivers never felt happy looking after the elderly.
The HelpAge India released a nationwide report on Friday here on ‘Elder Abuse in India: Role of Family in Caregiving: Challenges and Responses’ on the eve of UN recognised ‘World Elder Abuse Awareness Day’ which falls on June 15.
The report focuses on the generation aged 30 to 50 years, covering 20 Tier 1 and 2 cities which has to look after their elderly parents and their own children. It is also the generation which has been the primary abuser as highlighted in past surveys by HelpAge.
The report further reveals 29 per cent caregivers thought it better to put the elder in an old age home by paying money and visit them. Despite the burden felt, many adults fulfilled their duties of care. For example, upto 32 per cent of the caregivers reported to be extending physical care to elderly for Activities of Daily Living (ADL) such as help / assistance in changing clothes, walking, eating, bathing, toileting etc.
The percentage of women (primarily daughter-in-laws, and daughters) looking after the ADL and IADL activities of elders at home is far more than that of their male counterparts that is the son in most cases with up to 68 per cent daughters-in-law caregivers providing physical care to elders for Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) such as help in using telephone, shopping, preparing meals, housekeeping, washing clothes, transportation, taking medicine, as against up to 51 per cent sons.